[MD] moral judgements

[David M]

Hi Craig

You answer your own question and it don't seem complex to me,
that's why I wondered what your point was. Sure, we look at it
and weigh it up across the different values/ends we have.

Ta
David M

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <craigerb at comcast.net>
To: <moq_discuss at moqtalk.org>
Sent: Friday, November 24, 2006 8:07 AM
Subject: Re: [MD] moral judgements


> [Craig]
>> Suppose there was a drug that was recreationally pleasurable or medically
>> beneficial, but had the unfortunate side-effect of leading x% of the time
>> to violent behavior (0<=x<=100).  Should we allow the drug & deal with 
>> the
>> violence on a case-by-case basis; totally ban the drug; or allow the drug
>> in some cases but not others (& if so, on what basis?)
>
> [David M]
>> I suggest we take a vote, I vote to ban it. Am I wrong?
>
> Not so much wrong as overly simple.
> Let me recap:  Originally you said that acting morally was 1) simply a 
> response to your environment which 2) lead to the best possible world.
> I agreed but wanted to make the point that while 1) can be simple, 2) can 
> be complex.
> You asked for an example.
> I gave the example above.
> You gave a simple answer above to my hypothetical example.
> I was hoping that you would reply that your answer would depend on what 
> value x had as it varied from 0% to 100%.  Near 0% there is little reason 
> to ban the drug; near 100% there is good reason.  In between, we must 
> weigh the pros (freedom, pleasure & health) vs. the cons (possibility of 
> violence).  These last cases I find complex.
> Whereas you started with the criterion for moral action as that which 
> leads to the best possible world, you now have the competing criterion as 
> that which has been voted for.
> Craig
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